My paypal link works for me, but not for readers
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I installed a PayPal link. When I log out of WordPress and test it, it works. Yet I see under “clicks” on my dashboard that when people click on the link, it shows up like this, and it doesn’t work:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_sxclick&hosted_button_id=XTHMNWEEDEKAJ
Here is the link that I see when I click on the button: https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=xwaJDL4nN65ld994w1uYniJl5auYlsoLicqYWwZr0XbWEf2Y2KxoTXQs8Li&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8de62a88b92df045c56447d40d60b23a7c
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
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Hi there!
I just tested clicking on your Paypal button and it worked fine. The links maybe different because of the way Paypal routes the traffic through the button.
While you land on the page with the long URL you posted above, your button actually links to this URL:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=XTHMNWEEDEKAJ
We register the link they actually clicked on, not necessary the URL that they fully load from that click.
Does that clarify things?
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So, how could the link they actually click on (which is what appears under “clicks”) not be the same as the link that my button is attached to? That is unclear to me. My concern is that people are trying to visit PayPal and can’t. Thanks again.
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I took a look at your site stats and I see this link:
paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=XTHMNWEEDEKAJ
This is the same one I pasted above. And if you right click (or cmd + click) on your Paypal button and select “Copy Link Address” then paste that link somewhere else, this is the link you will see. You can also see it in the actual code for your button.
When you click on this link, Paypal does some magic behind the scenes to translate that shortened link into the link they need, which is the super long one.
It’s like when you click on this WordPress.com shortlink for one of your posts:
If you click on that, the forums will get a “click” to http://wp.me/p2fWq0-18O, but you’ll end up at http://alacartespirit.com/2015/02/24/of-feldenkrais-and-failure/
So your Paypal button works and your readers will be able to access your donation form.
Does that help? Let me know if you have more questions. :)
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I understand short links. When I look to see where readers have clicked through, I see a list of URLs on my stats page. Easy enough.
All the other links on that list work and take me to those web pages. The link to PayPal as shown on that list of clicks, NOT my button, takes me to an error page.
Why is that?
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Thanks for clarifying! I just went into your stats and clicked on the paypal link there. I was directed to the Paypal donation page.
Can you take a screenshot of the pate you end up at and upload it to your Media Library?
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I see what you are saying about the link from your stats not working the same way as the link on your site, but the problem is about the way the link is formatted in your stats not playing nice with Paypal. When your visitors (both the logged in and logged out ones) are directed to Paypal correctly when they click your button.
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Thanks…I’ve been noticing that more people are clicking on the donate link, yet no one has actually donated, so I was wondering if there was a problem. Perhaps they just change their mind at the last minute!
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I’ve been noticing that more people are clicking on the donate link, yet no one has actually donated. . . .Perhaps they just change their mind at the last minute!
That is actually pretty common. I’ve noticed it myself on sites where I’ve had payment links. The fact that people are clicking on it at all means they are seeing it, which is an important first step.
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